scavenged; scavenging
1
a(1)
: to remove (dirt, refuse, etc.) from an area
(2)
: to clean away dirt or refuse from : cleanse
scavenge a street
b
: to feed on (carrion or refuse)
2
a
: to remove (burned gases) from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine after a working stroke
b
: to remove (something, such as an undesirable constituent) from a substance or region by chemical or physical means
c
: to clean and purify (molten metal) by taking up foreign elements in chemical union
3
: to salvage from discarded or refuse material
also
: to salvage usable material from
: to work or act as a scavenger
Examples of scavenge in a Sentence
Rats scavenged in the trash.
The bears scavenged the woods for food.
He scavenged the town dump for automobile parts.
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s an important question the organization’s circle of decision-makers should be asking themselves before scavenging to put a job saving run together this offseason.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
At the start of the outbreak, the group explained, the virus was primarily confined to waterfowl, but the buildup of dead birds has since allowed the disease to spread to birds of prey—including eagles, hawks and owls—that have scavenged these remains.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Foxes and wild mammals that scavenge on birds are also at risk, officials said.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
Its anthocyanins are more effective at scavenging free radicals than other antioxidants like vitamin E, quercetin, and catechin.30
A 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving of purple corn also provides 2.5 grams of fiber (9% of the DV).31
12.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scavenge 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
At the start of the outbreak, the group explained, the virus was primarily confined to waterfowl, but the buildup of dead birds has since allowed the disease to spread to birds of prey—including eagles, hawks and owls—that have scavenged these remains.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Foxes and wild mammals that scavenge on birds are also at risk, officials said.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
Its anthocyanins are more effective at scavenging free radicals than other antioxidants like vitamin E, quercetin, and catechin.30
A 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving of purple corn also provides 2.5 grams of fiber (9% of the DV).31
12.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scavenge
Dictionary Entries Near scavenge
Cite this Entry
“Scavenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scavenge. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scavenge
verb
scav·enge
ˈskav-ənj 
-inj
scavenged; scavenging
: to collect usable things from what has been discarded
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share